Weaving together various observations and musings -- usually pertaining to aspects of Hong Kong (life) but sometimes beyond.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Protect(ion) (This week's Photo Hunt theme)

Two types of protection came to mind when mulling this week's Photo Hunt theme -- and while neither of them are unique to Hong Kong, both of them may well be especially prevalent in this part of the world.

The first of these comes in the form of the local police force: specifically, one that has a high 85% community confidence rating; many of whose members can be seen walking street beats in various parts of the often quite hilly territory during the day and night, come rain or shine.

And speaking of rain: this is a place whose denizens take rain very seriously. (For proof, check out these official rainstorm warnings as well as the umbrellas and awning set up to protect patrons and operators, respectively, of the dai pai dong (open-air food stall) in the second picture above).

Incidentally, for those who enjoyed my33rdHongKongInternationalFilmFestival coverage, here's a movie-connection addendum/bonus of sorts: i.e., apart from the local constabulary prominently figuring in many a Hong Kong movie (think the various Police Story films, among others), I'm also pretty confident that this dai pai dong pictured above is: the one that Tony Leung Chiu-wai's cop character was eating at when he bumped into Faye Wong's lugging market produce in Chungking Express; and is adjacent to the one where Simon Yam and co ate at in Triangle... ;b

One of the things I love about this blog is discovering things like that 85% of the population of Hong Kong have a favorable view of their police force. No urban police force in the US that I can think of would have an approval rating that high--or even half that high. Different situations, of course, with racial and ethnic animosity defining much of the way people in the US look at most institutions.

Having police officers walk beats instead of riding in cars must be part of it. Whatever the case, this is the kind of thing that I point out to my wife and others, including a friend who is married to a Detroit police officer--who was amazed.

In an odd way it is a good feeling to know that this kind of police/citizen rapport exists in any huge city.

In a completely unrelated note, Mr TANG King-shing, Commissioner of Police, looks like he could be the brother (or at least cousin) of Waise Lee.

You made my day by detailing what you love about my blog -- heck, my stating that you love it! :D

And yes, I think it really does help to see the police walking beats -- also in their being approachable enough so that, say, if you're feeling lost, you can feel okay to go up to them and ask for directions to a place. :)